Newsletter #223 - May 1997 - By Shepherds Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/

We have more in common with Noah than one might think. This message is for those of you that have said at one time or another, "I try to plant seeds and pass God's Word on to others, but no one wants to listen". We will learn that Noah was a preacher. How successful was Noah as a preacher? There were only 8 that boarded the ark. Let's not be to quick to judge Noah, or others for that matter. We are going to begin our study in 2 Peter.

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Over that last several decades, we have seen many "new religions" spring forth. Beware of false religions that do not align with God's Word.

2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Pernicious means evil. False prophets twist Scripture to suit their "new religions". Do you remember how Satan tempted Christ in the wilderness?

2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Feigned means fabricated or to represent by a false appearance. Their damnation does not sleep, because God is the Judge. He keeps very good records.

2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Jude 1:6 tells us that the angels that sinned are the "nephilim" which left their habitation to take wives of the daughters of Adam as we will see in a moment.

2 Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

The word "preacher" in this verse is translated from the Greek word "kerux" (kay-roox). The Greek word means to herald a divine truth. In Noah's case, he heralded, or warned, of a flood. Imagine how Noah and his family must have been mocked and ridiculed. Are you beginning to see how much we have in common with Noah? You see, we are also warning of a flood, the flood of lies that will flow from antichrist's mouth. Let's continue oue study in Genesis.

Genesis 6:1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

The sons of God are the angels which left their habitation to take wives of the daughters of Adam. Satan knew Messiah would come through the seedline of Adam.

Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

The ofspring of the "nephilim" and the daughters of Adam were giants, "geber" in the Hebrew language.

Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The influence of the "nephilim" on man was damaging. How easily man is influenced by something new?

Genesis 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

This is prophecy yet to be fulfilled; however, it will be fulfilled when Christ returns at the 7th trump. All will be changed from flesh bodies to spiritual bodies (1 Cor. 15:51-54) at that point.

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

The Hebrew prime of the word "generations" in this verse means pedigree. The women of Noah's family had not been seduced by the angels. The word "perfect" in this verse is from the Hebrew word "tamiym" (taw-meem). It means without blemish. It was necessary for this seedline through which Christ would come to be without blemish. Noah wasn't taken in by the miracle performing supernatural fallen angels. Will you be taken in by the miracles performed by antichrist and the fallen angels, when Michael boots them out of heaven and back onto earth? We have much in common with Noah. Let's turn to Matthew 24. Most of you are very familiar with this Chapter. The disciples ask Christ about His return.

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Noe is the Greek name for Noah. The events leading to the 2nd advent will be exactly as in the days of Noah prior to the food.

Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Many will be taken away by the flood that occurs prior to Christ's return, the flood of lies pouring from Satan's mouth.

Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Christ tells us Himself in verse 26 of this Chapter not to believe anyone that tells you He is here or there. Stay in the field working and watching.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

The point is that no one that knows what hour a thief would come would be surprised and allow their house to be broken into. They would be ready.

Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

The faithful and wise servant gives his household the meat of God's Word so they are prepared for the season of antichrist. Noah might not seem to have been a successful preacher to some; however, I don't know of anyone that would argue that he wasn't faithful. While we are on the subject, let's go to Chapter 25 for one verse.

Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Jesus doesn't say anything about successful. This is one thing you sure want to have in common with Noah. Noah set the example for you. Remain faithful to the Lord as we prepare for the flood of this generation. In closing let's turn to 1 Peter. Think about the seeds you have planted that you think didn't produce fruit as we study the next Scripture.

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

No one! We have power over all our enemies in Jesus Christ's name.

1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

With reverence and meekness, we should always be ready to testify of the hope, Jesus Christ, that is in us.

1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

It is a badge of honor to suffer for well doing.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

Jesus Christ did nothing but good, and He suffered for you on the cross. Who are these prisoners?

1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Let's skip to Chapter 4 for more on these prisoners.

1 Peter 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

The "quick" means living.

1 Peter 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

What is the point? At the time of Noah, Christ had not yet been crucified on the cross. Christ wen back to those that had died before His sacrifice to offer the the same salvation available to those that pass away after the crucifixion. Christ preached the gospel and gave them the opportunity to their sins in His blood.

Was Noah a successful preacher? How many of the spirits in prison that Noah had preached to in the flesh were saved? The Bible states "many". Some of those saved probably said, "Wow, old Noah knew what he was talking about". Don't worry that people won't listen to you. They didn't listen to Noah. Plant seeds, and allow God to do the rest. As some of you are delivered up to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you, the seeds that you have planted will begin to grow. Don't count those seeds out. It "ain't" over until Satan goes into the lake of fire. Keep planting those seeds. Don't become discouraged.

In His service,
Arnold Murray